Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and With a population of 85,455, Auburn is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
12 upvotes
20 Replies
Emily Roberts
couldn't agree more
40 upvotes
Ezekiel J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 33, moved here 12 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
40 upvotes
Elena L.
Bought a house here in 2024 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
37 upvotes
Kinsley Gonzalez
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Aria Thompson
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Olivia Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Easton Perez
Used to live on the North side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
30 upvotes
Peyton Ramos
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
28 upvotes
Jacob Perez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
Kennedy Young
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Ryan Brown
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Alexa P.
same here
16 upvotes
Weston Nguyen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Jonathan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Santiago Roberts
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Andrew
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Aiden L.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Southern places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
6 upvotes
Joshua Morris
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Zoey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Natalie Morris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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